Our Reporter.
The Office of the Prime Minister through the National Secretariat for the National Task Force on Covid-19 has issued strong guidelines for cross border trade trucks and their drivers operating in Uganda.
These guidelines are expected to curb imported Coronavirus cases by cargo transporters.
In the last 2 weeks, about 20 trucks drivers have tested positive of this dreaded disease, to the bitterness of Ugandans who fear that these new cases that are largely imported may force government to extend the ongoing 21 days lock-down that is ending on 5th May.
The transporters are largely agreeable to these guidelines save for one – introduction of relay driving.
Byron Kinene, the Chairman Regional Transporters Association in Uganda has called for mandatory testing of drivers at port of origin, border posts and final destination.
While appearing on UBC TV, he thanked TradeMark East Africa for investing in Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System and urged Uganda Revenue Authority to add 10 minutes alarms for bad drivers that park in ‘undesignated’ areas.
He called for drivers and population discipline including drivers chasing away the public mainly women from coming to their trucks and vice versa.
Mr Kinene nonetheless asked Uganda not to undertake RELAY DRIVING as it is dangerous for trade, trucks, drivers & population alike.
Kenya Transporters Association is also strongly opposed to the RELAY DRIVING idea.
Below are the complete guidelines as issued by the Uganda COVID-19 task-force.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Ends.
